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(05-13-2019, 09:07 AM)KevinL Wrote: I don't live downtown, but I am car-free and successfully do 95% of my shopping on foot or transit. A sturdy bundle buggy (bag cart), along with reusable bags (including thermal ones for cold items), is typically enough to bring home items from all over town.

That said, I'm physically fit and have no children or other considerations. But it works for me.

Can I ask where you live?

I generally feel that DTK and Uptown are two places that it is easy to live car free in the city, I believe there are probably other places, with good transit and walkable areas, but I haven't personally experienced them, so I'm curious. I had thought near Belmont Village might be a good option as well, but I cannot say for sure--transit is perhaps weak there.

I live in the Belmont Village area and can say that car free living is absolutely possible here. In my (obviously biased) opinion, it is one of the best neighbourhoods in the city and often overlooked.

As for transit, I can quickly walk to the LRT at GRH station.
More Transit: iExpress, the 7 and 8 all run down Park Street. The 4 runs up Glasgow, providing easy access to the Boardwalk and all of the big box shops there.
Uptown and downtown are a 10-15 minute walk in either direction or a quick bike ride.
The Iron Horse Trail is right at your doorstep.
Healthcare services are available in/around GRH.
Central Fresh handles supermarket duties and while some things are expensive there, their sale items and meat prices in particular offset that.
Swanson's Home Hardware on Park Street has everything you need from a home improvement perspective and is a Canadian company to boot.
There are a multitude of restaurants with varied flavours in the local area, ensuring something is available for pretty much any appetite.

(05-13-2019, 03:37 PM)Section ThirtyOne Wrote: Uptown and downtown are a 10-15 minute walk in either direction or a quick bike ride.

I do agree that it's walkable, but I think these two estimates are a bit optimistic. Mr Google says it's 1.3 km to Waterloo City Hall (from Rexall in Belmont Village) and 2.4 km to Kitchener City Hall, so I'd say 15 minutes' walk to central Waterloo for most people, and 25-30 minutes to DTK.

(05-13-2019, 03:37 PM)Section ThirtyOne Wrote: Uptown and downtown are a 10-15 minute walk in either direction or a quick bike ride.

I do agree that it's walkable, but I think these two estimates are a bit optimistic. Mr Google says it's 1.3 km to Waterloo City Hall (from Rexall in Belmont Village) and 2.4 km to Kitchener City Hall, so I'd say 15 minutes' walk to central Waterloo for most people, and 25-30 minutes to DTK.

I've walked the distance often enough in the other direction!

I can walk to Valumart or the Shops in 10 minutes from our place, but I do admit the downtown timeframe was quite optimistic.

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